Program Overview

The CIEE Arts and Sciences program gives students an immersive experience in Seoul, South Korea's cultural and educational heart, as well as its political and economic epicenter. The CIEE Study Center is based at Yonsei University, one of the most prestigious private institutions of higher education in Korea. Founded in 1885, the school has 18 graduate schools, 21 colleges, and a student population of over 30,000, which includes more than 1,000 international students from 20 countries. The University is located less than 20 minutes from downtown Seoul on a large sprawling campus that is hilly and forested. A full range of sporting facilities, including a fitness center, swimming pool, gymnasium, and basketball and tennis courts, are available.

In addition to the academic coursework, CIEE will also organize several activities for students including lectures, excursions, cultural activities, and a volunteer program assisting North Korean refugee students. CIEE students can also interact with Korean students through involvement in the International Buddy Program (called the CIEE Seoul Mates Program) and several student clubs at Yonsei University.

Situated on the Han River, densely populated Seoul is the capital and largest city in South Korea. This vibrant business and financial hub and cultural center is home to more than 100 museums, numerous religious monuments, parks and surrounding mountains, markets, festivals, sports teams, and tourist attractions including the Gyeongbok and Changdeok palaces. And that’s just the start.

Program Quicklinks

Education Abroad Credits

You will receive credit for all academic courses taken at this institution, and all of your grades from abroad will count toward your Penn State cumulative GPA. You may not take any courses overseas on a Pass/Fail basis. Students may not take sport or physical activity courses (e.g. sailing, bowling, yoga, etc.) abroad. These courses will not be credited at Penn State.

Search the Yonsei course catalog to find courses available to study abroad students. Refer to the course search instructions prepared by CIEE on how to search for courses taught at Yonsei University. When searching for course options, the Spring semester (March - June) is considered the 1st semester while the Fall semester (August - December) is considered the 2nd semester at Yonsei. To see what kind of credit students in past semesters have received for courses taken on this program, visit the CIEE Seoul Course Equivalency List. Students must complete the course equivalency process once you have been accepted to your program and after you have completed your registration abroad. To obtain specific instructions on this process visit our Course Equivalencies page.

Pre-requisites

Successful applicants will satisfy the pre-requisites established by the program.

Students must have completed two semesters of college-level coursework at the time of the application. Special note: freshmen applicants considering studying abroad during the Fall semester or Academic Year of their sophomore year are unable to apply due to this strict requirement set by Yonsei University.

Freshmen applicants considering studying abroad during the Spring semester of their sophomore year are able to apply since the official transcript that is required does not have to be submitted to CIEE until the student completes the spring semester of their freshman year at Penn State.

Citizenship Eligibility

Korean and Korean American students are eligible to apply to this program. However, additional documents mandated by the Korean government will be required based on Korean immigration regulations. Please consult with the Education Abroad Adviser before applying to this program to ensure you are aware of these additional requirements.

Housing and Meals

Your housing will be arranged by CIEE and is included in the program fee. Students can choose from three housing options: staying in an on-campus dorm, living with relatives or doing a semester-long homestay.

On-Campus Dorm

Students live in the SK Global House Dormitory. The dormitory was completed in 2010 and is located near New Millennium Hall and the Korean Language Institute, where most classes are taken by international students. Meals are not included but a food court is located on the premises.

Homestay

Living with a Korean family offers students the opportunity for true immersion into the Korean culture. Korean homestay families are located 40-80 minutes from Yonsei University. Students have their own room, bed, chair and desk, may have use of the kitchen and will likely share bathroom facilities. Most meals are included.

Program Costs

For more information on program costs, please be sure to review the fall budget sheet and spring budget sheet. These budget sheets include information on costs that are billable to the bursar bill, as well as estimated additional costs. Costs vary by program, so it is important to review this information carefully.

Please note that tuition rates may vary depending on major and class standing.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Penn State students studying through Education Abroad can use most components of their existing financial aid packages toward the cost of study abroad. This may include federal and state grants, VA educational benefits, federal student loans, and University scholarships and grants. Notable exceptions include work-study awards and some athletic scholarships.

The University Office of Global Programs also administers a number of grants and scholarships. Eligibility is based on academic excellence and/or financial need. There is also funding available for study abroad programs in diverse locations and for students from diverse backgrounds. In most cases, applicants should have a current year FAFSA on file with the Office of Student Aid. Funding opportunities may also be available through Penn State academic departments. For detailed information on financial aid and scholarship opportunities and application procedures, please visit theFunding Study Abroadsection of the Global Penn State website.

CIEE-PSU Scholarships

CIEE has generously provided scholarships for specific programs. These funds are intended for students who, for financial reasons, may not otherwise be able to participate on a CIEE program.

Fall 2018

Scholarships for the fall 2018 will be issued for $1,000 or $2,000 per student, all students applying to CIEE programs are eligible but preference will be given to students applying to the programs listed. There is no application for this scholarship, and the University Office of Global Programs will notify scholarship recipients via email. Eligibility for theses scholarships vary, but students must study abroad in the determined semester and location, in addition to being a full-time degree seeking Penn State undergraduate student and establishing financial need. Applicants must also be a United States citizen/permanent resident and have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Office of Student Aid. Financial need is established via the FAFSA on file with Penn State. Scholarships are not guaranteed and will be competitive.

Spring 2019

Scholarships for the spring 2019 will be issued for $1,000 or $2,000 per student, all students applying to CIEE programs are eligible but preference will be given to students applying to the programs listed. There is no application for this scholarship, and the University Office of Global Programs will notify scholarship recipients via email. Eligibility for theses scholarships vary, but students must study abroad in the determined semester and location, in addition to being a full-time degree seeking Penn State undergraduate student and establishing financial need. Applicants must also be a United States citizen/permanent resident and have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Office of Student Aid. Financial need is established via the FAFSA on file with Penn State. Scholarships are not guaranteed and will be competitive.

For More Information

For more information about programs and education abroad at Penn State, we encourage you to meet with or contact our Peer Advisers. These study abroad returnees can explain program options, give an overview of the education abroad process, as well as provide information about his/her program. If you are not at University Park, contact your Campus Global Representative.

To learn more about the specifics of each program, schedule an appointment with the education abroad adviser for this program.

For the inside scoop on life in a foreign country, be sure to check out the Student Spotlights of Penn State students currently studying abroad.

How to Apply

If you would like to participate on this study abroad program, you will need to apply to Penn State Education Abroad by clicking the "Apply Now" button on this page.

Studying Abroad with a Disability

Many students with disabilities successfully study abroad each year. Please note that other cultures may have different attitudes and available accommodations regarding disabilities. While we cannot guarantee the accessibility of all program sites and locations, specific accommodations may be arranged in consultation with our office, the Student Disability Resources office, and our partners abroad. To prepare for success, students are strongly encouraged to research the country and program location to consider if and how they will manage their disabilities abroad in advance of selecting a program. Students with disabilities and other diverse backgrounds can begin their research on our Diversity Awareness Abroad page.

** Indicates rolling admission application process. Students will be immediately notified of acceptance into this program and be able to complete post-decision materials prior to the term's application deadline.